72 Gibson, Birds Observed between Kalgoorlie and Eiicla. [ ^^^ 



Emu 

 Oct. 



East of the spinifex country, and extending right across into 

 South Australia and southerly to the coast, lies the great Eucla 

 limestone table-land. This for the greater part consists of open, 

 treeless grass and blue bush plains, with only here and there 

 small patches of stunted timber and brush. On its western edge 

 — bordering on the spinifex and mallee belt — the limestone 

 country is sparsely timbered with oaks {Casuarind), myall and 

 mulga (acacias), whilst on the south, towards the coast, are fairly 

 extensive belts of myoporum, this giving place nearer the sea- 

 front to stunted mallee and the usual coastal brush. This oak, 

 myall, mulga, and myoporum country, which fringes the great 

 plains, is referred to in the notes as the " semi-open " country. 



The whole of the district between Kalgoorlie and the South 

 Australian border is practically waterless ; there are a few small 

 rock-holes, but these seldom last through the summer season, 

 and the only really permanent surface water is in the dams and 

 tanks along the main stock route near the coast and at such 

 places as there is any settlement. 



In the following list every species, with the exception of those 

 queried, was identified beyond dispute : — 



Wedge-tailed Eagle {Uroai-tus audax). — Odd specimens noted right 

 across, but nowhere numerous. 



Little Eagle [Nisai'tus morphnoides). — Odd ones noted everywhere 

 except on the open plains ; fairly common near the coast. 



Kite {Milvus affinis). — Fairly common right through. 



Square-tailed Kite {Lophoictinia isurd). — Seen only occasionally. 



Brown Hawk {Hieracidea orient alis). — Very common right through. 



Striped Brown Hawk {^H. berigoru). — Occasionally seen ; not nearly 

 as common as the preceding. 



Sparrow-Hawk {Accipiter cirrJioccphalus). — Four or fi\e specimens 

 only noted ; these in the gum and giant mallee country. 



Goshawk [Asfur approximans). — One or two only seen, in the timbered 

 country. 



Kestrel [Ccrchneis cenchroides). — Odd ones noted in the gum country 

 and along the coastal cliffs ; a few also in the semi-open country. 



Little Falcon {Falco Itcnulatus). — One specimen only (a female) 

 obtained (or seen), near Queen Victoria Spring. 



BOOBOOK Owl {Ninox boobook). — Fairly common, except in the open 

 country. 



Owl {Nt?iox cotinivens ?*). — Not identified ; seen occasionally at night on 

 the plains. Their abodes are the caves and blow-holes in the hmestone. 



Chow (Corvus coronoides). — Common everywhere until the plain country 

 is reached ; here they are replaced by the Raven {Corone ausfralis). 



Raven {Corone ausiralis). — Fairly common on the plains and in the 

 coastal districts westerly as far as Balladonia ; here both Crows and Ravens 

 were identified, but this appears to be the latter's western limit. 



Leaden Crow-Shrike {Strepcra plumbed). — Common in the timbered 

 country, especially in the coastal districts ; not seen in the open country. 

 Usually seen singly or in pairs, never together in numbers. 



* More likely to be a member of the genus Strix, probably delicatula. — Eus. 



